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S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 04 ABU DHABI 000744
NOFORN
SIPDIS
FOR S AND S/SRAP HOLBROOKE
DEPARTMENT ALSO FOR NEA/FO, NEA/ARP AND SCA
E.O. 12958: 07/21/2019
TAGS: PTERPGOVPRELPARMEAIDMOPSIRISAFPKSYLESA
QA, AE
SUBJECT: UAE GULF SECURITY DIALOGUE (GSD) JULY 20 PLENARY SESSION AND
COS DIALOGUE
ABU DHABI 00000744 001.2 OF 004
CLASSIFIED BY CHARGE D'AFFAIRES DOUGLAS C.GREENE FOR REASONS 1.4 B
AND D.
Summary
-------
¶1. (S/NF) In a July 20 plenary session of the GSD with a large UAE
delegation, accompanied by a smaller session with the UAE Chief of
Staff, the immediate focus was largely on Iran. Participants
reiterated the good defense cooperation that the U.S. and UAE enjoy,
while noting the need to improve coordination further to deal with
real and urgent threats in the region. In this regard, the UAE put
the threat of Iran's potential reaction to a "likely" Israeli attack
on its nuclear program at the center of scenarios to be considered.
Other issues, to include Yemen, counter-proliferation, Pakistan, the
Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and extremism were also addressed, but
even these were often seen through the prism of Iranian intentions.
¶2. (S/NF) This message begins with the Chief of Staff's urgent plea
on "munitions" to deal with an unpredictable Iran, followed by a
synopsis of GSD plenary proceedings. A list of UAE participants is
included at para 20. End summary.
Chief of Staff Presses for Munitions:
Urgent about Iran's unpredictability
------------------------------------
¶3. (S/NF) In a brief session with principals only, Chief of Staff
Hamad Thani al-Romaithi (who also participated in the MbZ dinner and
was on his way to Lebanon later July 20) said the UAE cannot act
alone in the region and needs coherent plans -- especially to deal
with the unique threat of Iran. How to deter Iran without provoking
it is a challenge. Ambassador al-Otaiba emphasized how the proximity
of the UAE to Iran magnifies the threat perception; the CoS said UAE
military planning had to consider worst-case scenarios.
¶4. (S/NF) ASD Vershbow said the USG did not disagree with the UAE
evaluation of Iran's objectives, but that we need to work to prevent
them from achieving those objectives. Diplomacy is only one tool.
The USG wants to help provide the UAE with defensive capabilities and
our troop presence here should help act as a deterrent to Iran. We
don't want to signal that we will give up on diplomacy, yet in
parallel to that effort we intend to keep the pressure on Iran. We
appreciate the candor of our defense engagement with the UAE. We are
dealing with an unpredictable foe and need to take all precautions.
¶5. (S/NF) The CoS said Iran will remain a threat in any case, as its
objectives are constant. He added that if the Israelis strike, Iran
may lash out at the UAE and around the Gulf -- one can conceive of
many possible scenarios from missile strikes to attacks on isolated
islands to the exploitation of 130,000 Iranians living in the UAE.
The UAE therefore seeks ongoing support from the region's "main
actor," the U.S., and desires close defense coordination. The UAE's
friends in the GCC, on the other hand, are not always realistic in
their approach to Iran, he said, citing Arab misinterpretation of
"brotherly" Iraqi intentions with regards to Kuwait back in 1990.
¶6. (S/NF) ASD Vershbow said that our message to Iran is that threats
against our allies will not go unanswered. We need to be prepared in
case deterrence does not work, with the realization that with or
without nuclear weapons Iran seeks to be a dominant power in the
region. This is a very interconnected region, asserted the CoS. "If
I was in the Israelis' shoes, I would attack, to reduce the nuclear
threat." The first reaction may be that the Iranians launch missiles
against targets in Israel and then the Gulf, he added. Air Chief
Sweidan added that the UAE needs munitions on a tighter timeline than
previously assumed -- with urgent needs in 2010, 11, and 12. He said
the UAE Armed Forces could receive munitions from the U.S. inventory
and then replenish them later (he supplied the same list of
requirements as was relayed some months ago, noting that they had
only received a "political" answer to that inquiry thus far).
ABU DHABI 00000744 002 OF 004
¶7. (S/NF) The CoS was appreciative of Patriot deployments, progress
on command and control systems, and movement toward more effective
shared early warning, but lamented that other pieces of the air
defense puzzle require immediate attention. Ambassador al-Otaiba
reiterated the need to "borrow from U.S. inventories" to meet urgent
timelines. A/S Vershbow said we were leaning far forward for the UAE
on THAAD, for example, and would continue to look into opportunities
to assist, including filling gaps before UAE-purchased systems were
delivered.
¶8. (S/NF) Highlighting the importance of close defense coordination,
the CoS noted that in the event of an attack the UAE may have no time
to react. Taking the fight to Iran may require "passing over U.S.
aircraft carriers," for example, so we need to be in lock-step at all
phases of preparation and operation.
Introductory remarks
--------------------
¶9. (C) The Plenary session of the U.S.-UAE Gulf Security Dialogue
(GSD) convened July 20 at the Armed Forces Officers' Club, with newly
promoted Deputy Chief of Staff Major General Ali Hamad Subaih
al-Kaabi stating that the "small but significant" Gulf region makes a
large contribution to global peace and development and seeks enhanced
cooperation with the U.S. He cited UAE troops in Afghanistan, U.S.
use of UAE bases, a robust intelligence exchange, strong
counter-terror efforts, and improved border control as evidence that
the UAE shares common goals with the U.S. Citing the "high
importance" of strong relations among GCC members, he thanked the
U.S. for its role in the defense relationship and wanted to learn
more about U.S. strategies vis-a-vis Iran, Afghanistan, Iraq, and
Palestine.
¶10. (C) Assistant Secretary of Defense Vershbow, leading the U.S.
team along with Assistant State of State for Political-Military
AffairsShapiro, expressed confidence in the strength and future of
the bilateral relationship, anchored by common strategic interests.
Recounting shared priorities, he noted that the GSD was being taken
to a new level as we seek strategic synergy in facing real threats
like Iran -- which we are obligated to defend against. He called for
a more multi-lateral approach to counter-proliferation and cited the
need to prepare missile defenses. He lauded the UAE decision to host
LEADING EDGE 2009 and cited the 123 agreement with the U.S. as the
high standard on civil nuclear cooperation. The responsible drawdown
of U.S. troops in Iraq also calls for continued UAE support, he
emphasized, as Iraq seeks to assume responsibility for its own
security and integrate into the region. The UAE's advanced fighter
squadron, growing air defense net, participation in RED FLAG, and
leadership of CTF 152 are all indications of a maturing defense
capability.
¶11. (C) A/S Shapiro emphasized the USG desire to ensure regional
stability, counter extremism, curb WMD proliferation, and tackle the
inter-related challenges of the region holistically. He focused on
the threat from Iran, stressing that the USG was attempting a
diplomatic solution -- if possible -- and would proceed in
consultation with our friends in the region. Recounting the basic
components of our Iraq policy, he also highlighted the need to
strengthen the institutions of government in Lebanon and build
capacity within the Palestinian Authority.
UAE offers threat analysis: all Iran
------------------------------------
¶12. (S) The UAE's presentation of the primary regional threat
assessed that Iran's leadership "genuinely believes that it has
emerged victorious from its clash with the U.S.," with gains made in
Iraq, an expanding "Shi'a tide" in the region, an ongoing nuclear
program, missile modernization, and continued provocation of
resistance in Gaza. While Israel was able to neutralize to some
degree threats on its flanks in Lebanon (2006) and Gaza (2008/9),
ABU DHABI 00000744 003 OF 004
Iran's main goals of regional influence were not inhibited. The UAE
assessment continued that Israel may act on its perception that only
"extreme" (and unlikely) UNSC action or unilateral Israeli military
action can slow Iran's nuclear goals. As Iran continues to reject a
political solution, the UAE must prepare for the fallout should
Israel act on its fears. With that, the briefer introduced a slide
on Iran's capabilities, with missile sites in the south of Iran and
concentric circles showing their likely range all covering UAE
territory.
¶13. (S) Iranian promotion of "Shi'ism," coupled with sleeper cells
in the region, magnify the threat articulated by the UAE. If
attacked, it may seek to obstruct shipping in the Gulf and control
(more) islands over which it does not have legitimate sovereignty.
Working in alliance with al-Qaeda, Hezbollah, and Iraqi Shi'a, Iran
is poised to do damage of an unpredictable nature if/when provoked.
In sum, Iran continued as the traditional focus of the threat
briefing offered by the UAE at GSD sessions. Other regional concerns
noted in lesser detail included Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan, Pakistan,
the Arab-Israeli conflict, terrorism, and piracy.
Strategic Cooperation
---------------------
¶14. (C) In further briefings, the UAE team highlighted good
operational cooperation with the U.S. and offered a review of the
maturing Critical National Infrastructure Agency (CNIA) which is
taking charge of security on land, along the coast, and off shore --
with an initial focus on Abu Dhabi but an intent to serve as a
federal agency. The U.S. Coast Guard and NYPD were cited as partners
in the growing CNIA mission, with a U.S. promise of first-time
"Nuclear Security Training" in the near future.
¶15. (S) The UAE delegation received a draft "UAE National Defense
Strategy and U.S.-UAE Comprehensive Defense Strategy" document
outlining key priorities in the defense relationship (a document
proposed by UAE Ambassador to Washington Yousef al-Otaiba). Without
immediate comment on the substance of the USG draft, al-Kaabi said
the UAE would reply via embassy channels and looked forward to
continuing the dialogue.
Q&A on Iran, Yemen
------------------
¶16. (C) When the floor was open to general discussion, two topics
dominated: Iran and Yemen. The UAE asked whether the USG had any
new information since the December 2007 NIE regarding Iran's nuclear
weaponization program; the U.S. team noted that a new estimate was in
progress but it was premature to comment. The DMI representative
also noted that Iran exploits crises for its own advantage, making
the defusing of crises like Palestine and Lebanon imperative if we
are to keep Iran in check. In the case of Palestine, he added
optimistically, it is time to "cut to the chase" and deal with final
status issues; Lebanon is also ripe for progress, he suggested,
without a drawn out process.
¶17. (S) On Yemen, the UAE said it shared a U.S. concern that a
"failed state" could emerge on the Arabian Peninsula, with terrorist
partners and Iranian influence further poisoning the mix. A
collapsed Yemen "gives us Afghanistan," said Commander of the Air
Force and Air Defense Major General Hamad bin Suweidan al-Qamzi, and
then it presents a long-term threat to the region. He said the UAE
was coordinating economic development support for Yemen while also
trying to assist with political reconciliation. He noted the dangers
of "another Somalia." ASD Vershbow hoped the UAE could help secure a
unified GCC approach to Yemen, as time is running out on the
seccession question and Yemen cannot afford a "two front" war with
both seccesionists and the Al-Houthi insurgency. In a brief
discussion of Pakistan, all agreed that Islamabad needs to focus
resources to fight insurgency rather than obsessing with India as its
potential military foe.
ABU DHABI 00000744 004 OF 004
Positive Conclusions
--------------------
¶18. (C) Enhanced U.S.-UAE cooperation to counter troublesome
financial flows and cash smuggling -- solidified during a recent
visit by Treasury Secretary Geithner -- was noted by the Charge as
another area of productive engagement. Both sides also put in very
positive words about the role of the Air Warfare Center which has
become a proud center of excellence for the region.
¶19. (S) In closing, al-Kaabi raised Iran yet again, noting that its
leadership is not likely to change fundamentally and therefore the
threat is likely to continue. He looked forward to ongoing
discussion of the defense strategy discussed earlier as we continue
to pursue a common vision.
¶20. (SBU) UAE delegation:
--- Staff Major General Ali Hamad Subaih al-Kaabi, Deputy Chief of
Staff
--- Staff Major General (Pilot) Hamad bin Suweidan al-Qamzi,
Commander of Air Force and Air Defense
--- Staff Colonel Abdullah Saeed al-Hamoodi, Intelligence and
Military Security
--- Lt. Colonel (Dr.) Albadr Shareef al-Shatri, Intelligence and
Military Security
--- Staff Brigadier General Khalfan al-Kaabi, Ground Forces
--- Staff Colonel (Pilot) Salim Saeed, Ground Forces
--- Staff Lt. Colonel Abdullah al-Yamahi, Directorate of Joint
Operations
--- Brigadier General (Dr.) Humaid Ali al-Kitbi, Purchasing
Directorate
--- Staff Colonel Saeed Rashid al-Shihi, CNIA
--- Staff Brigadier General Mohamed Murad al-Baloushi, Air Forces
--- Colonel (Engineer) Ahmad Sultan, Air Forces
--- Staff Lt. Colonel Engineer Jamal Mohamed al-Ameri, Air Forces
--- Major Juma Sultan, Air Forces
--- Staff Major (Pilot) Ali Saleh, Air Forces
--- Major (Pilot) Abdullah Sultan al-Mazroui, GSD secretariat for
plenary
¶21. (U) The GSD traveling party approved this message .
GREENE